Troops’ dental readiness shows some improvement

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Although troops’ dental readiness has improved some over the last decade, there’s also been a decline in the share of troops with the best dental health, according to new Defense Department data. From 2014 to 2024, the percentage of troops with the worst levels of dental health decreased from 8.3% to 6.3%, while the percentage of troops with the best dental health fell from 48.9% to 44.8%. The DOD memo to Sen. Elizabeth Warren comes in response to Warren’s letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth earlier this year seeking answers on how potentially ending fluoride use in drinking water could undermine military readiness.